Amazon.com Product Description

The new Minolta Dimage S414 combines high-quality images with automatic features that are ideal for novice users as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. The stylish Dimage S414 offers a 4-megapixel resolution for prints beyond 11 by 14 inches, a 4x optical zoom, built-in flash, video recording capability, and Compact Flash card compatibility.

Optics and Resolution
The Minolta Dimage S414's high-precision electro-optical system is built around a 4.1-megapixel interline primary-color CCD with 4 million effective pixels. The built-in Minolta GT lens is a versatile apochromatic 4x zoom with anomalous dispersion (AD) glass for color accuracy and dual aspherical elements which, combined with a 2.2x digital zoom, provides an 8.8x total zoom. The optical zoom lens range is from 7.15-28.6mm, equivalent to 35-140mm in 35mm photography; with the addition of digital zoom, range is equivalent to 35-308mm in 35mm.

With Minolta's Focus Area Selection feature, photographers can move the focusing point to single out a specific subject from a number of objects at varying distances. The Dimage S414 can also be manually focused for more creative control and features multisegment and spot metering. Multisegment metering uses 270 segments to determine exposure. Three exposure modes are available: program, aperture priority, and manual.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash memory cards. The included 16 MB card can store approximately 11 images at the highest standard setting (2,272 x 1,704). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Dimage S414 is capable of recording up to 60 seconds of video with sound at 15 frames per second and at 320 x 240 pixels.

More Features
The 1.8-inch LCD monitor displays active camera settings, exposure information, and warnings. The Dimage S414 also offers the addition of grid and scale displays for improved composition. The Digital Subject Programs feature optimizes camera's exposure, white balance, and image-processing controls for specific scenes and subject, and includes six settings: macro, portrait, landscape, night portrait, text, and text and macro (for small text and line art).

Other features include:

• Continuous recording ofstill images at a rate of approximately 1.6 frames per second
• Five color mode options: natural color, vivid color, black and white, sepia, and solarization
• Four preset white-balance settings: daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent
• Real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured
• 10-second self-timer

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.5 by 2.5 by 2.3 inches and weighs 11.8 ounces. This package includes the Dimage S414 digital camera, four AA alkaline batteries, 16 MB CompactFlash card, USB and AV cables, neck strap, lens cap, and Dimage Software and Viewer CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14 and medium-quality poster-size prints
• 4x optical plus 2.2x digital (8.8x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Capture interval time of 0.8 seconds and continuous advance speed of 1.3 frames per second
• Included 16 MB CompactFlash memory card holds 11 images at 2272 x 1704 HQ setting
• Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included); connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Reviews (63)

Digicamaphobia: Cured! Minolta s414
I researched digital cameras for several months to find THE one for me, a digicamaphobe. THE camera is - the does it all AND at a reasonbable price - Minolta s414.

I considered Canons, the G2, the Elph s230, various Olympus cams, and the easy,cheesy Sony. The elph was easy to use, but small, awkward, and distance shots were blurry and pixilated. I tried a friend's Olympus, but it was kind of complicated for me, downloading seemed a pain...My sis emailed me Sony pics she took, but the quality wasn't there...In April, while shopping, a friend pointed out the Minolta s414, 4 megapixels and 4 times zoom with movie and sound. So, I researched it...From reviews and info about the s414 I learned it was truly awesome with options galore. Additionally it was considered "user friendly"... I showed my boyfriend the info I'd found...An amateur photographer, he'd had never thought digicams could produce the quality of his NIKON, but he was impressed with the research I showed him; so he bought one. He was immediately blown away with the quality from the moment he started using it. His first macro shot of flowers with the s414 convinced him to set aside his Nikon. Then he had me try he camera...and had trouble wresting it away from me, because the Minolta s414 REALLY IS USER FRIENDLY.

I had to have the s414, and we went to buy mine...In addition to "user friendly", we found "sold out" at three stores... At the fourth stop, we bought the demo... along with rechargeable batteries, a 256 picture card and card reader...

Sunday, June 8, armed with our s414s, my boyfriend and I went to a dance recital and took some stupendous pictures in sepia and black and white as well as color ...EASY. ..After downloading the pics, we were amazed as we zoomed in on an eye to see the outline of my daughter taking the picture was reflected in the pupil!!! I took 100 pictures and made three quick films, plus reviewed and downloaded the pics before needing to recharge the batteries...Now how awesome is that? This camera RULES...

good value
I bought 3 sets of panasonic rechargeable batteries (1950 mA) from the local warehouse store and they lasted most of a day. They are an affordable alternative to the monster rechargeable batteries mentioned in other reviews and it seems that 2 sets would have been enough. I bought a 256mb compact flash card and a sandisk usb card reader. For all of you new to digital photography (like I am), the camera is pretty much useless until you have purchased all of these.

I can say that the camera compares well to my Canon Z135 35mm. For a digital camera, it is a bit on the large and heavy side, but I'm ok with that.

I've found the 60 seconds of movie quite useful (in daytime outdoors and bright light only) especially when I saw dolphins in the ocean. I couldn't get a still shot because I never knew when the dolphins would go above water, so at least I was able to get a clip.

Also, I was unable to get a shot in medium light (indoor pool) conditions, (using the flash, the subject was fine, but the background wasn't, without the flash, the background was good, but the subject wasn't, using the fill flash was slightly better) but I'm not sure my Canon would have got the picture any better.

I've found the camera to do very well, for indoor portraits and outdoor (bright sun) landscapes.

I'm not happy with the date stamp feature, because it removes part of the picture (maybe there is a setting to change the way it puts the date stamp?)

I also don't like the way it does red eye reduction. It does 3 flashes, and the third is when the picture is actually taken, but after the first (no matter how many times you tell them) the subject believes that the shot was taken and stops posing.

Digital photography is great for beginners because you can immediately see what you are doing wrong and correct it.

A great camera for most situations.
I bought this camera because it saved in TIFF format, had 4x optical zoom and uses Compact Flash and the price was reasonable at $200. It came with NiMH batteries and charger which was a surprise. Overall I am very satisfied with this camera and recommend it to all but the very discerning. You get a lot for the buck. There are some drawbacks that are livable to me.
Pros:
1.Saves in TIFF format (I keep the size down, so I get 1 picture per 4MB of card)
2.4x optical zoom (I disabled the digital zoom)
3.Uses inexpensive compact flash
4.Takes quality images in AF and Macro mode.
5.OK batteries useage(I bought 2200mAh which take 80 pictures per charge, more at lower resolution).
Cons:
1.Heavy and bulky.
2.Tripod mount off center.
3.Focus OK indoors, diificult outdoors, resulting in some blurry images in the sun. Shade is not a problemNeeds a focus shade.
4.Overall color OK. could be better.
I use Photoshop to crop and color correct almost every image. I usually don't have to color correct images taken with this camera, like I did with my Kodak 280 so I am very please with that. The Outdoor shots in full sun can be a problem. I bought my daughter a SONY Cyber-shot, 2MP and no zoom. It is a basic camera that is wonderful. Light weight & easy to use, fits in shirt pocket and takes excellent images. It makes a great companion to the Minolta S414.

Great Camera, but it East Batteries
This is actually a pretty good camera if you look at the
features. The pictures are awesome, and the zoom is powerful.
I really like the autofocus. It draws a little rectangle
around the item that the camera thinks it should focus on,
so you know before taking the picture. The camera is
sturdily made, chunky, and easy to hold. The price is also
great.

So why do I give it 1 star? This camera eats batteries
like CRAZY! I don't mean it gets annoying after a while,
it gets annoying right away. I tried several good
recharageables, and I still run out of batteries after about
20 pictures. Once the batteries die, the lense won't close.
that's a problem when you're walking around.

As I already stated, the camera itself is great, but the
battery situation is so bad that it makes the camera virtually
useless. I traded mine in for a coolpix 3200, and I'm loving
it.

Ok camera for the price
Pay 199, new. cheapest 4MB and 4x optical I found, so what you get.
I own a Olympus D-380 too (for 2 years). Focus free and 2 MB. Sometimes I prefer the 380, it doesn't eat so fast the batteries.
(but 380 gets sometimes wear little white rounds spots with pictures taken with flash at night, sometime too many).
The Minolta is clean in that way. Heavy camera, good features at menus.
Pictures with flash are fine at night. Pictures at day too blue, not good auto white. Sometimes better do it manual.
CONS:
- eats a lot of baterry
- color quality is not I aspect. much better is Olympus. Color quality is similar to HP products (2002-03) kind of dark.
- most of cons of previews reviewers are true.
PROS
-Price and 4x optical ... Read more

Features

• 5.3 megapixel sensor creates high-resolution images for prints up to poster size
• 3x optical plus 4x digital (12x total) zoom autofocus lens
• Complete controls over exposure, color, contrast, saturation, and white balance
• Includes 32 MB Secure Digital card; connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Package includes four rechargeable NiMH batteries, charger, and case

Reviews (17)

solid feature set, 5MP, 3x optical, nice pics.
the minolta dimage f300 is a solid camera but there are a few complaints that lead to this 4 star rating: no AF assist light, noisier images than competition, a slow moving lens, and all but useless TIFF mode (takes too long to save).

pros:
- 5MP resolution and 3X optical zoom.
- good photo quality, very sharp images.
- LCD on top of camera displays essential info (very rare in this camera class) - to be truly useful though, this should have included shutter speed and aperture.
- subject tracking autofocus performs well.
- good color balance.
- full set of manual controls - aperture/shutter priority, manual exposure, manual focus.
- intuitive user interface plus simple menu system.
- wide ISO sensitivity range for a compact (ISO 100 - 800).
- good macro performance.
- solid build quality, aluminium body.
- good shot to shot times.
- selectable AF points, reasonable AF speed.
- tracking AF workings for slow moving high contrast subjects.
- USB connectivity.
- non-proprietary AA batteries used.
- automatic lens cover.
- small and light: 4.4"W x 2.1"H x 1.3"D, weighing 7.8oz.

cons:
- more noise in images than competition.
- no auto focus assist light - makes focusing in low light difficult, if not impossible.
- slow moving lens - over 3 seconds to go from wide to telephoto!
- slow moving lens leads to slow startup time.
- shutter lag is noticeably worse than competition.
- noticeable barrel distortion from lens at wide angle.
- default tonal balance leads to lost shadow detail, clipped highlights.
- no flash power control.
- only TIFF format is supported, if you prefer RAW format, look elsewhere.
- saving a TIFF file means a virtual camera shutdown for about 30 seconds! this is a deal breaker for me.
- metal case scratches easily.
- doors for memory and battery feel flimsy.
- the included 32MB memory card is inadequate; be ready to shell out additional $$ for more memory.

as already mentioned, the f300 is a competent camera that is compact and quite stylish. if you don't plan to use the TIFF mode, the long save time is a non-issue. the shutter lag is troublesome though and the lack of an AF assist light is annoying. nevertheless, this camera has a lot going for it and is worthy of consideration. in the end, i would recommend the canon s50 over this.

i hope this helps your purchasing decision. peace.

Solid performance, but sluggishness is frustrating
This is my first digital camera after years of using old school film cameras. I purchased it when it first came out, having ready solid review of the F100 which was its predecessor. The F300 is stylish reasonably compact, and it can take regular AA batteries which is very convenient (though I recommend purchasing Powerex rechargeable 2200mAH AA batteries; this camera will drain regular AA batteries with alarming speed). Its feature set is solid--5MP, 3X optical zoom, solid macro performance--and my photos have turned out fairly neutral in color balance.

However, the one thing which frustrates me to no end is how sluggish the camera can feel. Turning the camera on and off leads to a several second wait for the lens to emerge or retract. The lag time when trying to get the lens to go wide or to zoom causes me to overshoot, so framing the subject properly can be an ordeal. The time to get an autofocus lock renders this camera unusable for all but stationery or very slow-moving subjects. And shooting at the highest resolution leads to long waits while the image is written to the memory card. I'm not expecting Nikon or Canon 35mm camera body responsiveness, but the F300's sluggishness removes some of photography's capture-the-moment joy.

I have become addicted to the convenience of previewing and sharing photos with a digital camera, but if I had to do it all over again I'd buy a nimbler 5 megapixel digital camera.

Amazing outdoor pictures
After doing a ton of research, I found this camera for $300. At the time of purchase, this was a steal. I took the camera to Israel with me and took some unbelievable outdoor pictures.

The manual settings are plentiful (if a bit cumbersome at times), although I find that the automatic setting is still better at figuring out lighting than I am.

The only complaint is for low-light pictures, which have yet to come out too great. However, I think this is a problem in the user and not the camera. Time will tell.

Excellent camera for the price. Very satisfied

batteries get sucked up quick
this is a a good camera for the price and takes great pictures, however it will drain batteries super fast. I can only get about 5 pictures out before the batteries are drained. I would suggest buying a different camera. I have spent over $100.00 in just batteries and I have used the camera less than 5 hours. I have owned it for about 7 months but I can not depend on it.

Simply the best for the money
I looked and used a lot of cameras and liked the features of the f300. One main feature is the lcd screen on the top and AA batteries and a sd card all common items. Most of the ones that are supposed to be better don't have this it is all proprietery. Anyway most reviewers are working or being taken care of $$$ by the manufacturer. I would check this one out. I have one and so does my wife. I used 3 of the top rated ones and they just don't touch this one. ... Read more

Features

• Wide angle of view
• Long eye relief
• Bak4 Prism and Multicoated optics Ensures Clear and Bright viewing
• Convenient Diopter Adjustment
• Waterproof feature protects from heavy rain and water splashes

Reviews (2)

Best in class and better than most that cost much more!
I need binoculars for hunting and nature watching in varied conditions including 100+ degree heat/dust, muddy bogs, snow covered mountain woodlands, and open prairies. I bought the Minolta 8x42WP Waterproof Classic Sport Binoculars after a months long search and they have not disappointed. I have used them hunting in North Texas and whale/nature watching in Maui from on land and at sea. Minolta offers the most features including larger FOV, BAK4, coated optics, waterproofing, etc. This shows when you actually put the binocs to your eyes. Other makers charge 2 to 3 times as much for these features. They are hands-down a better choice than the similar priced Nikon, Orion, Bushnell, Leupold Wind River, etc. brands. "Similar priced" is not totally accurate as most of these makers charge well over $100 for their products. The Wind Rivers are particularly disappointing considering their price. Pentax does make a similar model at a similar price but it is heavier. I had to buy these on faith as I could not find a retailer who had the Classic Sport model in Dallas, TX. By looking through a large number of very different models of binoculars, I can strongly say that these are the set to buy if you do not intend to spend over $300. I am amazed at how competitively Minolta prices this product.

WOW...
I just recieved my new binoculars and as is usual with the old Minolta tradition, you get a great product at a greater price.
I worked for this company many years ago and I remember they were sticklers for detail.
The binoculars are great if, like me, you have to wear glasses; incredible eye relief. It was very heavy overcast and once upto my eyes, someone turned on the lights. It was just that bright. The contrast was not overbearing in any way; just enough snap to remind you of a good quality pair of binoculars. With a short focus of only 18 feet and a sharpness beyond my expectations, I couldn't be any happier with my purchase. I highly recommend them to both pros and amatuers alike. ... Read more

Features

• Small, compact 35mm SLR includes 100mm autofocus zoom lens
• Multi-dimensional predictive focus control
• High-quality spherical acute matte focusing screen
• Quartz/date function adds time and date to your photos
• Compatible with Minolta's lightweight D series lenses

Product Description

Konica Minolta intends to be a company that constantly brings new surprises to customers, through its unique and innovative products and services, by mobilizing its broad technological capabilities in the field of imaging. ... Read more

Product Description

Konica Minolta Toner Cartridge for 2400W, 2430DL PrintersKonica Minolta Toner Cartridge averages 4,500 monochrome prints at 5% coverage. This toner is also compatible with the Magicolor 2400W and the 2400DL. ... Read more

Features

• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (for 12x total)
• Compatible with Secure Digital and MMC memory cards
• Can create 6 MP images through interpolation; movie mode limited only by resolution and memory card size
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH recommended); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (3)

Good quality with cheap price
I bought this camera from Costco and the camera did the good job. It made nice and high resolution pictures. I had no problem about the digital zoom indoor or anything about the problem when zoom to 200%. All pictures are clear with no freakles on skin. I suggest use microsoft digital image pro 9 to edit and zoom the pictures. It did the perfect job. If you had any problem about the created image, your software must have problem. Now I enjoy all the pictures that I took because I really look like a professional cameraman. Five stars on this product. Oh ! except one con: battery drain too fast. Buy rechargable battery.. remember !

Sandy pictures
PROS:
1. Compact. small form factor.
2. SD not CF
3. 3X Optical
4. Very inexpensive. I bought from Costco for $190 (but returned within 3 days because of the cons).

CONS:
1. All indoor pictures taken with flash came out sandy when enlarge to 200%. You can see freckles on the skin even though the person has no freckles!!!!
2. Failed to auto focus when using the digital zoom indoors. However hard I tried to get to autofocus while in digital zoom, I couldn't. Once I brought it back to optical, it focused clearly.

There are other pros and cons but they're minor. Some related to the user interface, some to batteries.

Excellent starter 3.2 MP camera
I bought one of these a few weeks ago as a second, smaller digital camera and can vouch for the excellent user interface and very good results offered by this well-priced item.

The ultimate picture quality is very slightly short of my other digital, a Nikon 990 (which cost over 5 times this much only a couple of years ago), but most people would be very-hard pressed to tell the difference, which is only noticeable when images are viewed 1:1 on screen. For those interested, the little Minolta's lens is a slightly less sharp into the extreme corners, and shows a little more colour fringing and a little extra CCD noise, but the results are nevertheless excellent, with particularly good (yet natural) colour saturation.

Macro performance is also remarkably good, and it's nice to have a camera this small that can be carried around all day with no inconvenience. The built-in flash works quite well but isn't as powerful as some others. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The first consumer-oriented 5-megapixel camera to hit the market, Minolta's DiMAGE 7 leapfrogged the competition by coming out at a time when other camera manufacturers were just introducing their 4-megapixel models. The DiMAGE 7 offers an ultrahigh resolution 5.24-megapixel CCD sensor that delivers excellent images for prints as large as 13 by 19 inches. A high-performance, all-glass, 7x zoom lens (equivalent to 28-200mm on a 35mm camera), with a 2x digital zoom, ensures maximum flexibility when composing your shots. Add to this a host of creative controls stacked into a unit with the size and feel of an SLR, and you have a digital camera with the type of functionality typically found only in professional models.

Three controls provide access to the camera's primary adjustable features. Digital subject-program selection allows you to set aperture and shutter speed for superior results in five popular formats: portrait, sports action, sunsets, night portraits, or text. A function dial allows adjustment between four modes of pixel resolution, five modes of data compression, four modes of exposure control, five modes of drive options, seven modes of white balance, and five levels of ISO. The digital-effects controller allows image manipulation by compensating for exposure, contrast, and color saturation before the image is saved. As insurance, Minolta provides a fourth control that instantly restores the camera's automatic settings. Changing most settings is a two-handed operation: one hand selects the feature you're adjusting, while spinning a second dial actually changes the setting. The system is reasonably intuitive, but don't plan to make any adjustments with one hand.

To preview and review images, the DiMAGE 7 features a digital viewfinder that pivots for comfortable close-ups or tripod shooting. An eye-sensing switch (triggered when you put your eye up to the camera) automatically turns off the TFT LCD viewscreen to conserve battery power.

In manual-focus mode, the camera also has an electronic magnification feature. At the push of a button, the center of the image is blown up to 4x original size in the viewfinder so you can check the fine details and ensure the image is in focus before snapping the shutter. In autofocus mode, a flex-focusing option allows the focal point to be moved to any part of the image for off-center shooting.

The DiMAGE 7 is so packed with features that it would be impossible to list them all, but here are some highlights:

Amazon.com Product Description

The Minolta Maxxum QTsi is the easiest-to-use single-lens reflex camera in Minolta's Maxxum product line. It handles and operates similarly to a fully automatic point-and-shoot camera, but provides the picture quality and system flexibility that only an SLR camera can offer. It is a camera you can grow with by adding lenses, flash units, and accessories.

The Minolta QTsi features a detachable 35-80mm lens, selectable automatic or manual focus, a built-in pop-up flash with four modes, a self-timer, and TTL-type metering. It also offers programmed autoexposure with an additional five modes for portraits, landscapes, close-ups, action shots, and night portraits. Film transport is automatic as well. A large on-body LCD panel displays exposure mode, battery condition, mode selection, and whether manual focus or autofocus is selected.

In the box, you receive the Minolta Maxxum QTsi body, a Minolta lens and lens cap, an adjustable neck strap, a user's manual, and warranty information. It operates on two 3-volt CR2 lithium batteries, which are sold separately. This camera is covered by a one-year manufacturer's warranty on parts and labor. ... Read more

Features

• Easy-to-use single-lens reflex camera
• Includes detachable 35-80mm zoom lens
• Automatic pop-up flash with 4 modes
• Programmed autoexposure plus 5 preset exposure modes
• Automatic or manual focus for new and skilled photographers alike

Reviews (36)

Finally something for the novice
For years I have waited for a SLR camera that allowed the user to change lenses and had features common to most instamatic cameras. A camera that would take the guesswork out of focusing or choosing the right settings, and at a price that I could afford. Minolta's QTsi had what I was looking for. With the 35-80mm lens, that comes with it, it allows for closeups as well as extending the shooting distancen and all with professional quality. By adding a lens or two, Minolta allows the user to take telephoto or extreem closeup photographs without breaking the bank. The QTsi comes with a flash that takes excellent photgraphs in little or no light, as long as the subject is not out of the recommended distance, it also allows the attachment of a larger flash unit that will increase the flash distance. The booklet is very helpful and honest in informing the user on how to use the camera and lens properly to achieve the best results, and does so in easy to understand language. The AF (Automatic Focus) feature is great for those of us who wear glasses or contacts, and may have trouble knowing if the subject is actually focused. No more out of focus shots because we have compensated for our poor vision. With the addition of a tripod, taking family photos can be done any time, like when the grandkids come for the weekend and there is no time to get to a professional studio. With the 10 second timer, you can get in the picture too, and even eleminate redeye in closeups. If you are like me and have been wanting to step-up to SLR photography but they seemed complicated, complex and to expensive Minolta's QTsi is the camera for you.

Wish I bought a Canon Rebel Instead
I bought this camera a year and a half ago. Love the feel - very comfortable. I also love that it can be fully manual or fully automatic and anywhere inbetween. My biggest problem with it is that when I use it as a point and shoot (regardless of mode - portrait, landscape, etc.) all my pictures come out overexposed. They just look washed out. I've tried different speeds, different brands of film, but I have to say that my Fiance's little Canon Sure Shot takes pictures 10x better! I haven't given up yet, but I do wish I had spent the extra money and bought the Canon Rebel instead.

Minolta QTSI ...300+ rolls and going strong
I bought this camera in June 2000 to use on our trip across country. We shot 93 rolls of film in 19 days of Lake Michigan, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, San Francisco, The Pacific Coastline, the St. Louis Arch , and 11 lighthouses. Neither of us are great at taking pictures but we were VERY pleased with all our photos!
Since 2000, we have had a new son and we have shot an estimated 125 rolls of him. I would recommend using Kodak Max 400 speed film. My son has big blue eyes and with this film I PROMISE you, we have no red eyes! We travel alot we have been to see numerous lighthouses in Ohio and along the East Coast as well as the Tribute in lights in New York City in April of 2001. We always return with at least 30 rolls of film to be developed. (Eckerds loves us)
I received a 70-300mm zoom lens for Christmas . I am looking forward to many more great shots(only my lighthouse shots will be even better now).
We have never had any trouble with this camera except for running out of film. (wink-wink)
You don't have to be a pro to use this camera. This camera takes great photos from close ups to landscapes.

Wonderful Camera
Since I am married to the military, I travel a lot to different countries. This camera is perfect, whether I am taking pictures of Mt. Fuji or my newborn, this camera always delivers great results. The auto focus is slow at times, but you can override that and manually focus on the object.

GREAT for beginning photography enthusiasts!
I started using the QTsi two years ago and I've NEVER used anything else since then (my fully automatic Olympus has been permanently retired from my usage).

This camera is easy to use, and can be switched to manual control for more challenging and more creative photography options.

It's perfect for someone with an interest in photography but not a lot of experience as a photographer. The QTsi is a perfect beginner's camera but can be used even by more advanced photographers as well.

My interest in photography has quadrupled since discovering the ease of use for the QTsi and I thoroughly enjoy working with this camera and trying all sorts of filters and lenses for it. ... Read more

Features

• 35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) with built-in flash, autofocus (AF), and autoexposure (AE)
• 1/4000 second shutter speed and 1/125 second flash sync speed
• 7-Point Autofocus System with Wide Focus Area
• 3 frames-per-second continuous film advance; wireless off-camera flash function
• Powered by 2 3-volt CR2 lithium batteries; includes 28-100mm lens

Reviews (6)

Another great minolta
I've had a series of minolta SLRs (5xi, 500si, etc), most recently the Maxxum 5. They've all been great and have all done very well for me. Features, sharpness, exposure, automatic and manual modes all just what I need.

When considering the maxxum 5 I was initially worried about the comments about the size and whether my somewhat-large hands would be able to use it comfortably, so I checked it out thoroughly at a local camera shop before buying. no problem. It's light and relatively comfortable, and definitely feature packed, and most features are easy to learn and are accessible.

I have a 28-80mm lens made by quantum that is also light and does well on this body. Also a straight 50mm for low-light and close-up, though the zoom actually does well enough to handle almost all situations I need, even some floral close-ups.

FWIW, I'd probably be classed as an advance amateur.
I've taken photos for many years now.

Great Beginning Camera
I love my Minolta Maxxum 5. The auto features make this camera easy to use and easy to get great pictures as a novice. Being able to switch individual features to manual also make it easy to learn how to use a 35mm SLR. My camera goes everywhere with me and has held up well. This camera is a lot of fun to use.

awesome camera?naaaaah!
I had Dynax 7000i for quite some time, and since the body developed cracks, I replaced that first with Maxxum 4. But that particular piece would occasionally turn off immediately after being turned on. So I returned that and bought Maxxum 5, with Vectis-1 flash. I am sorry to day that I got results worse that Maxxum4, and both were not comparable to what I got with my old rusty trusty Dynax 7000i. The advantagea are its light weight and small size. I didnot fancy the eye start very much, as I use it mostly in manual mode. To use the D lens's strength, you need to have D flashes, which are not cheap. There is absolutely no vignetting. If you shoot in burst mode, then it doesn't disappoint you.
I am still a bit far from the final verdict, but I am not quite impressed.
Hope this helps you..!

All The Features Most Will Ever Require in a Film Camera
Take almost all the features most people could want in a SLR film camera, and put them in an efficient, lightweight package, and you have the Minolta Maxxum 5.
This camera is loaded with features, including a readily accessible panic button to return quickly to program mode. I've found the user interface to be well-designed and easy to use.
In its class, I think you will find that the 5 has features that the competitors have left out of their SLRs.

Best Camera!
I LOVE my minolta camera. I'm a photography lover and carry it with me on every trip. The photo quality is wonderful, and it is easy to set everything to automatic in case a friend wants to snap a shot of something. I was skeptical to purchase a camera withso many options, but wouldn't trade it for any other product. ... Read more

Features

• 37.5 - 160mm (4.3x) power zoom lens uses high-quality aspheric optics for crisp, clear pictures with high contrast
• Sophisticated 5-point AF system analyzes the objects in the focus frames to determine the subject distance
• 3-segment metering system to ensure the optimum subject exposure under a wide variety of lighting conditions
• Versatile flash modes let you shoot in a variety of lighting situations with confidence
• Built-in quartz date back imprints the date or time right onto the photo

Features

• Wide Center-Cross 9-Point Autofocus, with Multi-dimensional Predictive Focus Control for moving subjects
• Direct Manual Focus
• Continuous AF or focus lock is selected automatically according to the subject movement
• Built-in flash automatically activates in low-light or low-contrast situations
• Diopter Adjustment Function

Product Description

Konica-Minolta (1710587-005) YELLOW HIGH CAP TONER/2400W ... Read more

Features

• 10x magnification with 25mm objective lens
• Waterproof and Fogproof
• BaK4 prisms with super-reflective coating provide optimum illumination
• Retractable click-stop eyepiece cups are easy to adjust with a simple twist
• Lightweight design at only 10.8 ounces

Product Description

Konica-Minolta (1710587-006) MAGENTA HIGH CAP TONER/2400W ... Read more

Product Description

Konica-Minolta (1710587-007) CYAN HIGH CAP TONER/240W ... Read more

Features

• Programmed automatic or manual exposure
• Camera body only; lens sold separately
• Programmed auto flash
• Date/time imprinting
• Exposure override up to 2 stops

Reviews (4)

The Best Camera I've ever owned.
I originally bought the Minolta X-700 in early 1985 while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. It had just won "Camera of the Year 1984" from an important consumer magazine. I bought it because I was very satisfied with another Minolta camera,the XG-7, that I had purchased six years before. Also, to be truthful, because the X-700 looks great! It turned out to be an excellent choice as I took thousands of excellent photos and especially color slides with it over the years. I used it in nearly every country in Europe, in a wide variety of conditions, and it never let me down. What makes this camera so great is that it offers an advanced amount of automation, but still gives the user a large degree of control. You can get off that quick shot, yet still be very creative. I was very disappointed with models that came out later. Unfortunately, my original camera was stolen, but I'm happy to find and buy a replacement from Amazon after all these years. Truly one of the best cameras ever made in its class, and one of the most durable and versatile.

You should learn photography with this camera
The X-700 is great for learning photography. It is manual but its beauty is in the various automated settings, which range from controlling everything except focus to fully manual. It is intuitive and easy to figure out, and comes with the reliability you'd expect from Minolta. The handiest feature that I enjoyed is the lightmeter readout in the viewfinder. In the various photography courses I've taken, I've found that it is superior to many other manual SLRs in that it has levels of convenience and automation that help you get a feel for photography, but still allows for the photographer to have complete freedom.

This camera earns bonus points for being not only reliable but durable. I've owned mine for over 12 years, and its suffered quite a lot of abuse. And hand in hand with its long life is a market rich with used parts. I've picked up quite a few lenses that fit on the X-700 for pretty cheap.

I'm not an expert on cameras by any means, but when I want to work on my photography, I put away my other cameras and even my digital and get my X-700 out.

Great older-style SLR
I picked up this camera to replace my Canon AE-1 that froze (something gear related). At first I thought this was just another fully manual SLR but after doing some homework I discovered that not only does it function as such, which is nice in itself, but it has an Aperture-Priority Auto-Exposure Mode which automatically selects the proper shutter speed based on existing light conditions. It works brilliantly. I have taken this camera on hikes, diving trips and just about everywhere else and it has worked flawlessly. Picture quality is great, options are many and it's basically everything you would expect from a high quality Minolta SLR camera. Five stars.

One of the best cameras to learn photography on in the world
Simply put, a fantastic camera. This is a nice compromise between the current generation of automatic SLR cameras and the difficult to use SLR's of the past. In program mode, all you need to do is focus and shoot. If you want more creative control, it's right at your fingertips. Picture quality is awesome as well. The MD line of lenses and accesories for this camera are noted for their quality and depth. This is really a great camera for the student or professional. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Minolta 10x25WR Sport Mini Binoculars lightweight and compact designmake it perfect to take just about anywhere you go.This high quality,compact binocular is ideal for outdoor sports, backpacking, concerts,theater, and sightseeing.

It is water resistant and can be used year-round, in any weather condition. The binocular is specially designed to seal out unexpected rain, mist, snow,and splashes, as well as dust and dirt.

The Focusing Guard feature stabilizes the binoculars, allowing the user tomake adjustments using only one hand.When holding the binoculars in onehand and adjusting the focus, the binoculars can be stabilized by easilyplacing the users thumb on the back of the main body to support the weight.

The binoculars provide a wide angle-of-view which allows more area to beviewed without moving the binoculars. A wide-angle-of-view is especiallyvaluable when viewing moving objects.

Minolta is world-renowned for high-quality optics and sharp images, and theSport Mini Binoculars are no exception. These binoculars are crafted withmulti-coated optics and aspheric lens elements, so the images you see willbe crisp, clear, and distortion-free. ... Read more

Features

• Water-resistant feature protects against unexpected rain
• Wide angle of view
• High-quality optics for crisp, clear images
• Twisted eyepiece cup with the click-stop function
• Powerful performance in a lightweight, compact design

Product Description

Konica Minolta OPC Drum Magicolor 2400, 2400WKonica Minolta OPC Drum averages 45,000 monochrome prints or 11,250 color prints at 5% coverage. This drum is also compatible with the Magicolor 2400 and the 2400W. ... Read more